Rating: 8/10
Review date: May 7, 2002
The story picks up a decade after the first Terminator where another attempt was made to kill John Connor (Edward Furlong) instead of his mother. Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator is back with a new mission: to ensure the survival of John Connor at all costs. Meanwhile, the Skynet supercomputer also sent a new type of robot simply known as the T-1000 (Robert Patrick) who is made of shape-shifting liquid metal to kill the young John Connor.
This movie offers a lot more actions than the original Terminator because James Cameron was given a lot more budget this time. However, let’s talk about the acting first as usual. Schwarzenegger is his usual self here although he sports new hairstyle this time (you, this was in the nineties remember?). In case you’re wondering, he’s also back with the ultra-cool leather outfit and sunglasses.
Linda Hamilton somehow looks older and more mature here and she also has a new hairstyle. I guess this is one of those moments when you realize that this is not the eighties anymore. Anyway…
The sequel actually arouses more of my interest because it actually expands on the storyline a bit more by telling us how Skynet was created and such. This also plays a large factor in the movie when they actually decided to change the future by ensuring that Skynet will never be built (watch it yourself to find out more, no unnecessary spoilers here).
Aside from the story, James Cameron managed to infuse more special effects which is always a great feast to the eyes for general movie-goers. Almost all of the action scenes contain marvelous visual effects that still looked good even now (more than a decade after it was originally released) especially when the T-1000 is on the scene; you will know why when you see it yourself.
This movie is highly recommended for action movie lovers who like countless explosions with fireballs billowing high up to the air. But that is not to say that this movie won’t appeal to the general audience as well because of the great special effects and great directing from Cameron.
Schwarzenegger fans should also watch this movie as well since he’s meaner this time while packing a lot more punches (and yes, the famous “I’ll be back” line is also here). But don’t forget about Robert Patrick as well whose role is excellent as the T-1000.
How I wish I could fast-forward through my life and head to the summer of 2003 so I can watch Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. Sounds exciting? You bet!
Memorable quote: “Stay here, I’ll be back…”
-Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator-
(c) 2002 Martin Taidy